Several governments
around the world have requested or
ordered their citizens to quarantine
themselves: to stay at home to avoid
contact with others. Quarantines
help slow the spread of diseases
like COVID-19.
have requested: han
solicitado (a); to quarantine
themselves: a ponerse en
cuarentena; to avoid contact:
para evitar el contacto; help
slow: ayudan a reducir la
propagación; diseases:
enfermedades;
Quarantines, however, can cause
health problems themselves. People
are at greater risk of
anxiety and depression
as a result of the
isolation caused by
quarantines. So, health experts
around the world are offering advice
to help deal with the undesirable
effects of quarantines on mental
health. Psychologist
Claudia W. Allen is among them.
however: no obstante; can
cause: pueden provocar; at
greater risk of: tienen mayor
riesgo de; anxiety and depression:
ansiedad y depresión; as a result
of the isolation: a causa del
aislamiento; are offering advice:
están asesorando; to help deal
with: para ayudar a sobrellevar;
undesirable effects: efectos no
deseados; on mental health:
en la salud mental; among them:
entre ellos;
Keep your usual routine
Allen says continuing with normal
routines as
much as possible will help you stay
healthy during quarantines. For
example, she says people should
continue to wake up and get dressed
at their usual time. She says with
some people staying in
pajamas all day could
lead to feelings of being
unproductive or without purpose.
keep your usual routine:
continua tu rutina habitual;
healthy: sano, saludable;
continue to wake up: continuar
despertándose; and get dressed:
y vistiéndose; staying in pajamas:
permaneciendo en pijamas; could
lead to: podría conducir a;
being unproductive: sentirse
improductivo; without purpose:
sin metas;
Make a plan
She also advises people to make
plans. Write a list of activities
and times for carrying them out.
These activities might include
cleaning your home, paying bills,
making calls and preparing meals.
Health experts also suggest eating
your meals at your usual times.
make a plan: elabora un plan;
advises people: aconseja a la
gente; fo carrying them out:
para cumplirlas, para llevarlas a
cabo; paying bills: pagar
facturas; making calls: hacer
llamadas; meals: comidas;
Don’t forget “self-care”
activities
Allen says everyone should include
“self-care” activities during
quarantine, such as exercise,
reading or playing musical
instruments. Getting exercise is
important. Even if you must stay
indoors, make sure to move your body.
Allen also suggests using a
quarantine to develop a new skill or
to learn about something.
self-care activities:
actividades diarias de cuidado
personal; exercise:
ejercicio, gimnasia;
playing musical instruments:
tocar instrumentos musicales;
even if: aún cuando, aunque;
indoors: bajo techo; make
sure to: asegúrate de; to
develop a new skill: desarrollar
una nueva habilidad
(aprender/practicar un idioma, por
ejemplo);
Use social media wisely
Social media does connect us. But
too much of it might cause harm.
Psychologist Claudia Allen says some
studies show that social media can
make some people feel left out or
“less than.” She suggests using it
wisely. One way is to meet with
friends, family, neighbors and
others over video messaging services.
use social media wisely:
utiliza las redes sociales
juiciosamente; does connect us:
realmente nos conecta (en
afirmativo, se usan los auxiliares
DO o DOES sólo para enfatiizar);
might cause harm:
podría causar daños;
some people feel left out:
algunas personas se sienten
excluidas o marginadas; feel "less
than": sentirse "inútiles";
over video messaging services:
por medio del servicio de
videoconferencia;
Find ways to help
Allen says helping others is another
way to lift your spirit during
quarantine. This could be as simple
as calling someone who is alone or
greeting a neighbor from your window.
You could also provide a service
online. For example, if you are a
teacher, you could offer online
homework help to friends who must
now home-school their children.
to lift your spirit: levantar
el ánimo; as simple as calling:
tan sencillo como llamar a; alone:
solo, sin compañía; greeting a
neighbor: saludar a un vecino;
provide a service online:
proveer un servicio por Internet
(como lo hacemos en OM Personal
Englsh); online homework:
actividades o deberes en línea;
home-school: enseñanza desde el
hogar.
I’m Mario Ritter, Jr.